"Do you think you'll be able to let go of the rage, the darkness in your soul now?"

"Possibly. But then what will my art be like? I guess I'll find out," he said with a small smile.

"Your art will be amazing, whatever direction it takes." I paused. "Changing the subject. How do you think we should get the stones back to Holden?"

"I've been thinking about that. I want to give the stones to Ian," he said.

"Ian?" I questioned in surprise. "Really?"

"Ian is not his brother. I did some reading on him the other day. He's very philanthropic. He gives back to the community, and he's passionate about music and the arts. I'll tell him he can give the stones to his brother, who probably stole the jewels in the first place, or he can find a way to make something good come from them."

"I like that idea. Will you say where you got the jewels?"

"Don't worry. I won't throw your mother and aunt under the bus. Although, I think Ian deserves to know that it wasn't Laura he slept with; it was Rachel. And he's the reason that crew was able to access the house. I don't want him to think he has no guilt in this situation."

"He was just stupid and fell for the wrong girl. I don't dislike your idea, but are you sure you don't want to use the stones to make your mother's life better, to make your community better? What about just selling one of the diamonds and doing something in your dad's name?"

"It feels like blood money to me. I'd rather honor my father by living my life in the right way, making him proud, and I'll take care of my mother myself."

I liked his pride, his strength, his sense of right and wrong. "That sounds like a good plan. Have you spoken to your mother yet?"

"No. I wanted to hear the full story first. I'm not sure the details will matter that much to her. She made her peace with my father's death a long time ago. I will call her at some point, but the first thing I'm going to do when I get back to your mother's house is move out. I'll find somewhere to stay until after my show, and then who knows? I'll see where the road takes me."

I was a little sad that he wasn't including me in his future, but I couldn't make plans with him, either. I had no idea where my life was going to go, and I had to figure that out on my own. I couldn't fall into someone else's life. I couldn't let someone else's dreams overtake mine. I had to make something for myself.

"Do you think our roads will ever intersect again?" I asked.

His eyes sparkled in the sunlight. "I wouldn't mind if they did."